Argentine teenager Juan Martin Del Potro has targeted a place in the world's top 10 after picking up his third consecutive title on Sunday. The 19-year-old outgunned former world number one Andy Roddick 6-1 7-6 in the final of the ATP event in Los Angeles, a result that will propel him to a projected ranking of 17th when the new list is released on Monday.
Having won on clay in Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel in July, Del Potro arrived in Los Angeles high on confidence but the manner of his victory suggests bigger and better things could follow sooner rather than later. "I think I am playing very good and my confidence is very very high," Del Potro told reporters. "I hope to be good for the US Open because it's the most important tournament (of the rest off the year)."
Del Potro, among the tallest players on the tour, said he had been working with his coach Franco Davin to improve all areas of his game, particularly his mental strength. Against American Roddick in front of a partisan crowd, he showed maturity well beyond his years to extend his winning streak to 14 matches. "If I want to be in the top 10 I have to beat them, these players," Del Potro said.
"I think the difference (between getting to the top 10 and not) is in your mind or your physical state. "If I continue in this way, I have a chance to be in the top 10. I don't know when - if I am still beating Roddick and top-10 players, for sure I will be, but you never know what may happen. "Maybe it will be this year, next year or in two years but you have to work hard, so I will try to improve my game and my serve, because if you have a good serve, it is very important." The US Open starts on August 25.